Chapter 74- The Final Rite

Chapter 74- The Final Rite
Chapter 74 — The Final Rite

Kith’s voice echoed through the stone chamber, low and rasping.

"By severing blood… I command obedience. By draining blood… I command silence."

His shaking hands hovered above the twin medallions which were his tools of betrayal. He chanted faster, pressing the symbols deeper into the circle scrawled in black ink and ash. Lines of blood ran from his palms, dripping onto the rune-covered stones.

But something was wrong.

His arms trembled violently. His breath became thin. His strength… slipping.

Kith faltered.

"What… is this?"

The very power he was trying to wield clawed back at him, draining his energy instead of feeding it. His vision blurred. The runes flickered in the candlelight like mocking shadows.

And then, the door shattered open.

Emilia stepped through first, her face stiff and her body ready for battle. Her eyes glowed a deep orange.

Calista followed, she looked a bit pale but her eyes also glowed with the orange colour just as her newfound blood sister did. Her gown was torn at the hem, her hair unbound. She looked fragile. But the steady light pulsing from her fingers showed her strength.

Kith staggered back. "You cannot stop me. You are too late."

"No," Emilia said softly. "We were never too late. We were just patiently waiting."

She held out her hand.

Calista clasped it.

With blood dripping through their entwined fingers, skin pressed to skin, their power stirred between them, ancient and deep. There was a quiet hum in the room, like the slow building of a storm.

"You cursed us through blood," Calista whispered. "Now, through blood, we end you."

Together, they began to chant. There was no screaming or shouting, only their calm, steady words- the language of their ancestors.

Kith roared, staggering to the side, trying to drag himself toward the door. He could feel the protection spell tightening around him like chains. It was so restricting, he tried to cover his ears but the spell was so loud. He brought his bloody hands back to his face.

Emilia’s voice cut through the growing hum. "For our children."

"For our bloodline," Calista added.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed from the corridor.

Vivienne entered, breathless, her eyes were wide with fear and determination. She saw their clasped hands and the ring of power forming at their feet.

Without hesitation, she stepped forward.

She reached for Emilia’s free hand and clasped it tightly.

Suddenly, Seraphine appeared in the doorway.

For a moment, she stood still.

But she crossed the threshold.

Wordlessly, she took Calista’s other hand.

The circle closed.

The four women stood bound together- two mothers, two sisters by blood and bond. Their magic surged as one.

The air shifted.

A low ringing sound filled the chamber. The candles flickered, then snuffed out entirely.

From the circle of their joined hands, a soft amber light began to bloom, warm and steady, like dawn after endless night.

Kith collapsed to his knees.

His body shriveled as if starved of life itself.

"No," he rasped. "You do not understand what you are doing. I was only trying to help the family, I didn't want to harm anyone."

Vivienne’s voice was clear. "We understand perfectly. You wanted to fracture us, divide us using our children as instruments for your manipulative scheme. Instead, you have given us something stronger."

"Unity," Seraphine said bitterly.

Calista’s grip tightened around her sister’s fingers.

Together, they chanted louder.

A wave of power burst from their circle, slamming Kith against the far wall.

He screamed.

His skin blackened. His bones cracked under the force pressing in from all sides.

Still, he tried to crawl forward, eyes wide with desperation. "I… was meant… to lead…"

Emilia met his gaze.

"You don't lead through stolen blood. You lead through selflessness and loyalty."

The final words of the curse spell left their lips in perfect unison.

Kith let out one last strangled cry before his body crumbled to ash. A gust of wind swept through the chamber, carrying what remained of him into the shadows.

Silence fell.

The amber light faded.

The hum disappeared.

The air was heavy but still.

Emilia let go first.

Her knees buckled, but Vivienne caught her.

Calista sank to the floor beside her, pale and shaking.

For a moment, no one spoke.

Then Emilia reached out blindly and felt Seraphine’s cloak. She gripped it weakly.

"Thank you," Emilia whispered.
She reckoned that the older woman was probably still angry at her.

Seraphine slowly knelt down beside her and wrapped her arms around Emilia.

"You are so stubborn and defiant you know," Seraphine muttered against her hair and chuckled softly.

Emilia’s throat tightened. She let herself lean into the embrace.

Vivienne wiped her eyes quietly.

Calista reached across, her trembling fingers brushing Seraphine’s sleeve.

For a moment, even that silent touch was enough.

Four women.

Enemies once.

Now bound forever.

The threat was gone. The children were safe. And for the first time in what felt like a lifetime, peace filled the Valois Manor.

Seraphine lifted her head.

"Where are my little vamps?" she whispered suddenly.

Vivienne stood first.

"They are safe," she said with a smile.

Seraphine released Emilia carefully, rising to her feet.

"We should check on them. Now."

They left the ashes behind them as they hurried from the chamber.

Emilia held Calista’s hand tightly as they stood together. The looked at each other and the unspoken words said it all, "I love you sister".

They hugged each other tightly.